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Without further hesitation here is lesson 1 with LC. There's much to say, but I'll simply let the video speak for itself. Look for upcoming attempts at this my instructor's homework in the weeks to come.
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This video was taken in the Spring, and at this point it has been so long I'm not entirely sure when. I know it was when we were doing really well in the round pen, and prior to our lessons with Mike Hurst over the Summer. We Still were using a snaffle bit, and a few other things. Jean Luc was in really good shape here. The newer videos, I think, show me the value of round pen work. I do not believe Jean Luc is coming out of this Fall season look as good as he did here in the Spring. You will see in an upcoming video, I am working with an instructor - Lauren Carver. She mentioned a few worrisome issues with Jean Luc - namely a back problem. He really needs a chiropractor, but living in rural West Virginia doesn't afford that option. There just are not horse chiropractors here. At the end of this video there is some canter work. He goes into the canter with much more ease in this video than the upcoming one. That said, he's fat from summer grass. I didn't realize how fat until looking back here. Then again, "Winter is coming!" So, I like my horse to have a little weight on him for the season. All in all, I'm just worried we're not progressing due to physical limitations. In fact, I'm worried we're going backwards. If I am being honest with myself, I believe his head is in the game, but I don't know if Jean Luc's body can take it? That is honestly a terrifying thought. Only time will tell, I guess. Prayers things start to turn around soon. From the vault of Liz who stole from Amanda I tossed together answers for 10 of 25 questions:
1. Why horses? Why not a sane sport, like soccer or softball or curling? Why Horses? Why not? Seriously though, when I’m working with horses it is the only sport I’ve ever done that I’ve not consciously thought about as a workout. Instead, I can actually see riding as more a goal oriented thing. I played tennis and swam for years. Both are sports. Both don’t make me smile nearly as much as I do when I’m working with a horse. I can’t explain why. I thought, maybe because it has something to do with a partnership, but I was always on a relay team or had a tennis partner in both sports? The only other idea I would have is that I am not really a competitive person, unless it is to compete with myself. I’ve never really been into sports to be “the best.” I am terribly uncoordinated, and usually everyone is better than me – so why try. 2. What was your riding “career” like as a kid? I showed once. I learned to ride on a 20 something year old, black pony name THUNDER! He was exactly what every little girl needs to learn on – wily, compassionate, and most of all, challenging. I think we may have won a ribbon or something, but I’m not sure. 3. If you could go back to your past and buy ONE horse, which would it be? Cricket. She was the first horse I ever rode. She was a beautiful black line dun. She has a baby out in the world somewhere, and I hear he’s pretty awesome. All I remember is that for a mare, she knew how to take care of people. Other than her, sorry Jean-Luc, I don’t know that I’ve met that horse yet? 4. What disciplines have you participated in? Train western pleasure, English pleasure, and general trail riding. 5. What disciplines do you want to participate in some day? I would love to learn and compete in some competitive trail completion and Mounted Orienteering, though. 6. Have you ever bought a horse at auction or from a rescue? Nope, but I’ve heard some pretty great stories. Most recently, I met a guy that rand one up to $15 at the American Trail Horse competition this year. His wife tells the story best, she was ready to divorce him on the spot – luckily he bowed out. 7. What was your FIRST favorite horse breed – the one you loved most as a kid? Anything with fluffy feet. I knew nothing (like how difficult those fluffy feet are to take care of). I have always liked fluffy things. I had a mane coon/ bobtail cat mix. My dog is German Shepard Husky Mix, and I am likely the only person that loves when her horse is furry (minus how quickly he heats up). 8. If you could live and ride in any country in the world, where would it be? West Virginia is BEAUTIFUL! That said, I have it in my head that I want take riding tours through various countries. One I am really looking at is riding Icelandic horses through Iceland and seeing the Northern Lights. 9. Do you have any horse-related regrets? I love Jean-Luc, but I do wish I’d hired a buyer and just known more in general before I went horse shopping. I believe I lucked out, however, in many ways I overpaid, overlooked the skills I wanted him to know v. me teach. That said, projects are fun! 10. If you could ride with any trainer in the world, ASIDE from your current trainer, who would it be? Monty Roberts is great, but his wife Pat Roberts is the one I would love to go one on one with. Why? The Horse Radio Network did an amazing interview with her a few years ago. She’s just lived such an amazing life – because of horses! Check it out here: https://www.horseradionetwork.com/2017/05/22/hitm-05-22-2017-by-omega-alpha-equine-one-on-one-with-pat-roberts-and-a-dozen-celebrities/ It has absolutely been a while since I've had the ability to write anything about by riding. However, that doesn't mean Jean-Luc and I have not had things to work on together! We have had a great end to our summer. From trail rides, practicing new skills, and more, we have really had a great time. In work-life, I have been really pushed. I am have the best year ever teaching, but I am working very hard for it. I have 3 online classes I'm taking to be considered a fulfilled Special Education Teacher as of December. Needless to say this has made my spare time very limited. Also, I am writing 3000 word assignments every other day! It has made wanting to write for fun difficult. I am proud of where I'm at, though. Despite all the challenges thrown my way, I do feel like we've been rather successful. In the horsey world I have also taken on a second horse project named Cody. To be clear, he isn't mine. He belongs to a friend that needs a rock solid trail buddy - a job I don't mind working on. He's a beautiful big brown quarter horse with a brain a tummy. This also means he can get himself into trouble because he's smart and lazy. I missed riding something i knew how to ride, though. Picking him up has just been a fun break for Jean-Luc and me! Since this summer, and working on a few things - namely just being comfortable, I began to feel like Jean-Luc and I had finally hit a wall that I could not work around. You only know what you know, right? Well, things have moved in an interesting direction. Thanks to some friends, I have sought out the help of a trainer new the Canaan Valley area. I could not be more excited about this (expensive for me) opportunity. I believe it is an investment in our growth, together. That said, this Wednesday is our first lesson and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I mean, I don't think I'll be judged ... in a way that makes me feel bad about myself, but I am just nervous in general. I wonder what I've been doing wrong for years? What can she help me with? And most all, I'm nervous because in many ways, I'm not even sure where to start!? Regardless, I'm looking forward to this next chapter in our lives. What will we learn? Who knows, but I'm thinking it's going to be fun. |
AuthorMy name is Chelsey. HorseGenerator's Cuevo Gold, or as he's known around this barn, "Jean-Luc Ponycard", was foaled in 2004 from Generator's Hurricane & Cheyenne's Little Bit. Top 10 Blog Favs.Archives
January 2019
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